Kia EV5 : Kia has unveiled the design of the production version of its new EV5 electric model at the Chengdu Motor Show in China. The electric SUV is to be offered globally after its premiere in China. However, the South Korean company is still holding back on the details of the drive technology.
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Kia EV5 Review (Kia EV5 Electric SUV Details)
After the EV6 and EV9, the compact SUV is the third Kia model based on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP electric platform – so it will be a pure 800-volt electric vehicle. In its PR strategy, Kia is following the example of the EV9: here, too, the brand first revealed the series design after a few appearances of the concept, before giving details of the exact drive configurations at the actual “world premiere”.
In the case of the EV5, the details of the technology will only be revealed at the Kia EV Day in October. At the trade fair in Chengdu, the focus will therefore be on the design, which does not deviate greatly from the concept presented in March. In principle, the production model remains true to the line, the EV5 could pass as a small EV9 in many respects – in detail, however, it brings its own elements, for example in the design of the front headlights or the rear lights that are pulled far inwards. However, the LEDs integrated into the front of the EV9 are not offered on the more affordable EV5.
The basic structure and proportions, on the other hand, were taken from Kia’s largest electric SUV: The front is very steep, the design rather angular and the rising line at the D-pillar and the steep rear window are also familiar from the EV9. According to Kia, every feature of the EV5 has been designed “to provide the flexibility modern families need and enhance their driving pleasure”.
Although Kia already lists the nine gloss paints and one matt paint individually in the press release, the exact dimensions of the EV5 are not even mentioned. According to the number in the model designation, it should be slightly shorter than the 4.68-metre-long EV6. However, due to its steeper rear window and higher body, it should offer a bit more utility.
EV5 Kia Design
Featuring a two-box silhouette, angular alloy wheels and chunkier lower body cladding, the design of the EV5 is inspired by the manufacturer’s flagship electric SUV, the EV9. The Kia EV5 sports an aggressive ‘tiger nose’ front fascia and sleek vertical light clusters in a wraparound arrangement at the rear.
Some stand-out features of the Kia EV5 include
set-back D-pillars, which the company states “highlight the EV5’s family-friendly practicality”, and rear wing boost aerodynamic efficiency while “signifying the EV5’s status as a ground-breaking electric vehicle”, says Kia.
Further, it added that the EV5 aims to “eclipse the accepted aesthetics of the existing compact SUV sector”.
Kia EV5 Interior
Kia said that the interior of the E5 electric SUV is inspired by the idea – “millennial households now regard the interior of their EV SUV not just as a place to sit safely and comfortably when travelling from A to B, but as an additional ‘room’ to live life in”.
Speaking of interior features, the Kia EV5 gets a wraparound digital panel, which includes a touchscreen infotainment system, a digital display and different switches for core functions.
Like other Kia cars, the electric SUV will receive
over-the-air system updates, and car owners can
activate features according to their needs.
Other notable features of the Kia EV5 will be 64 colour ambient lighting with a dimming function and a wide array of upholstery colour options and patterns. One of the prominent interior features of the EV5 electric SUV is the bench-style front seats, while the rear seats are foldable to provide enough boot space.
For the interior design, Kia has relied on its own research, according to which “Millennial households now view the interior of their electric SUV not only as a safe and comfortable place to sit when travelling from A to B, but also as an additional ‘room’ in which they can spend their lives”, as explained in the press release. Therefore, as in the EV9, they have not designed a classic car interior, but a spacious interior that is “more reminiscent of a domestic lounge”.
Image:Kia
The EV5 will first be launched in China in the second half of 2023, before global markets are served. It will also be produced in China, specifically at the Yancheng plant. Pricing and an approximate market launch in the rest of the world are not yet mentioned. We will provide the technical data after the Kia EV Day in October.
Technical details for the Kia EV5 have yet to be announced
Chinese-market versions will feature a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, while overseas models will reportedly have nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries.
The report also said the Kia EV5 will be priced at 50 million won (AU$59,000) for the standard range variant and 57 million won (AU$67,000) for the long-range, with the latter said to have a 600km driving range.
In many ways, the Kia EV5 is a shrunken take on the full-size EV9 due in Australia in October with a similar design, including its ‘digital tiger nose’ and ‘signature star map’ front end.
The side profile is also similar to the EV9, with “pushed-back” D-pillars said to improve visibility.
However, the rear end differs with a full-width light strip connecting the tail-lights, rather than adopting the EV9’s vertical look.
Nine gloss and one matte colours will be offered for the EV5, including snow white pearl, clear white, starry night black, magma red, ivory silver, frost blue, iceberg green, tide blue, shale grey, and ivory silver matte.
Inside, the design similarities continue with a single-piece display for the infotainment system, climate control setting, and full-digital infotainment cluster.
“Drawing additional inspiration from the recently launched larger EV9 SUV, they have endowed the EV5 with an extensive interior space that is closer in concept and execution to a home lounge than a traditional car cabin,” said Kia.
Kia has confirmed the EV5 will feature 64-colour interior ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated and cooled cupholders, a moving centre console similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, aeroplane-style rear fold-down trays, and a lift-up shelf in the boot.
Four interior colours and five upholstery options are available, with the seat patterns including two woven options and one artificial leather option for the base model.
Kia EV5 Charging
The Kia EV5 will be based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s (HMG) E-GMP platform, which features a unique multi-charging system. Patented by HMG, this technology should allow Kia’s new EV to be charged using traditional 400-volt or the more modern 800-volt charging solutions, the latter likely supporting DC fast charging up to an impressive 350 kW. If it materializes, this feature would allow the EV5’s batteries to be charged from 10-80% in as little as 18 minutes.
Kia EV5 Range
The Kia EV5 have a 600km driving range.
Kia EV5 Price
The report also said the Kia EV5 will be priced at 50 million won (AU$59,000) for the standard range variant and 57 million won (AU$67,000) for the long-range, with the latter said to have a 600km driving range.
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